Ep. #4 | Timothy Berg | Modern Church History

In this episode, we dive into the Protestant Reformation and explore how it sparked the formation of major Christian denominations still shaping faith today. We trace the origins and growth of Evangelicalism, Liberalism, and Fundamentalism, unpacking the key ideas that define each movement. Along the way, we introduce the concept of theological triage—a way to prioritize which doctrines are essential and which differences we can navigate with grace. Tune in to discover why understanding this history isn’t just about the past, but crucial for how we live and relate to others in faith today. 

TIMESTAMPS: 

00:00:00 - Introduction 

00:04:17 - Theological Triage 

00:19:25 - Does Tradition Possess Authority? 

00:29:39 - What was the Reformation? 

00:48:23 - Navigating the Downfalls of the Reformers 

01:07:01 - What Does it Mean to be Protestant? 

01:17:07 - What Denominations Came Out of the Reformation? 

01:22:52 - What is Evangelicalism? 

01:37:27 - What is Fundamentalism? 

02:15:14 - Should We Identify with These Labels? 

02:24:25 - Recommended Books 

02:27:27 - Closing 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS 

On Church History:  

Great first read:  

Jones, Timothy Paul, and Rose Publishing. Christian History Made Easy. (https://a.co/d/cZZ0Tq1)  

Good next step:  

Mark A. Noll, David Komline, and Han-luen Kantzer Komline, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, Fourth Edition. (https://a.co/d/dNoMatB) 

Good further step:   

Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, 2nd edition; Justo L. González, The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day, 2nd edition (https://a.co/d/9tkSb4j)    On Creeds:  Carl R. Trueman, Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity. (https://www.logos.com/product/251511/crisis-of-confidence-reclaiming-the-historic-faith-in-a-culture-consumed-with-individualism-and-identity?ff_showPdpAddSubx=true)  

Dixhoorn, Chad Van, ed. Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms. (https://a.co/d/4RQGdP0)    

On the Reformation:  

Collinson, Patrick. The Reformation: A History. Modern Library Chronicles 19. New York: Modern Library, 2004. Any edition is acceptable. (https://a.co/d/gLY6MVR)  

Marshall, Peter. The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction. Very Short Introductions (VSI). (https://a.co/d/acOUFPh)  

Roland H. Bainton. The Travail of Religious Liberty: Nine Biographical Studies - Primary Source Edition. (https://a.co/d/bddSbRj) 

Martin Brecht. Martin Luther: A Biography (3 Vols.). (https://www.logos.com/product/120290/martin-brechts-martin-luther-a-biography)

Andrew T. Walker. Liberty for All: Defending Everyone's Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age. Brazos Press, 2021. (https://a.co/d/aRVST23)

On Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism:   

Bebbington, David W. Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s. (https://a.co/d/bvGf2gA)  

Noll, Mark A., David W. Bebbington, and George M. Marsden, eds. Evangelicals: Who They Have Been, Are Now, and Could Be. (https://a.co/d/ibfYSTo)  

Marsden, George M. Fundamentalism and American Culture. Third Edition. (https://a.co/d/37d84st)   

Marsden, George. Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism. (https://a.co/d/4ljpjOm)   

Packer, J. I. “Fundamentalism” and the Word of God. (https://a.co/d/7ras6BA)   

Torrey, R. A., and A. C. Dixon, eds. The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth. 4 vols. (https://a.co/d/fm4u9Q4)  

Torrey, R. A., and Charles L. Feinberg, eds. The Fundamentals: The Classic Sourcebook of Foundational Biblical Truths. 1 vol. (https://a.co/d/50q5Tct)  

Henry, Carl F. H., and Russell Moore. The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism. (https://a.co/d/8EfnKp1)